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A new acquisition is this group to 2825 Lance Sergeant William Unthink Dowson. Dowson was active with the 2nd Battalion, Derbyshire Regiment in India, including the storming of the Dargai Heights which earned much praise for his regiment. He was awarded the India General Service Medal with clasps Punjab Frontier and Tirah. He then transferred to the 1st Battalion, Derbyshires' and was present with them in South Africa, including the actions of Diamond Hill and Johannesburg. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in Lord Roberts' dispatch of 10 September 1901.

Having elected to remain in South Africa, he took his discharge and joined the Railways. He was a Station Master in Humansdorp (Eastern Cape) when WWI broke out and, without hesitation, he joined the 5th Infantry, Kaffrarian Rifles, seeing service with them in German South West Africa. The 5th Infantry almost never made it to the war with their troops train being derailed in the Hex River Valley. The group also came with an Army Temperance Medal which I did not photograph.

- Distinguished Conduct Medal EVIIR to 2825 L.CORPL: W. DOWSON. 1ST DERBY: REGT
- India General Service Medal (Punjab Frontier 1897-98/Tirah 1897-98) to 2825 Lce Corpl W. Dowson. 2nd Bn Derby Regt.
- Queens South Africa Medal (CC/OFS/Johannesburg/Diamond Hill/SA 1901) to 2825 CORL W. DOWSON, DERBY: REGT
- 1914-15 Star to PTE. W.U. DOWSON. 5TH INFANTRY
- British War Medal to PTE. W.U. DOWSON. 5TH INFANTRY.
- Victory Medal to PTE. W.U. DOWSON. 5TH INFANTRY.

The South Africa 1901 clasp is loose on the QSA ribbon

Great pictures, Rory. A very nice long service group.